Apparatus for washing automobiles and the like



H. F. KNAPP. APPARATUS FOR WASHING AUTOMOBILES AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 22, I9I9.

Patented Apr. 20, 1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

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H. F. KNAPP. APPARATUS FOR WASHING AUTOMOBILES AND THE LIKE. APPLICATION FILED APR. 22, 1919. 1,337,477, Patented Apr. 20, 1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

HENRY F. KN'APP, .OFLEBANON, NEW-HA1VIPSHIRE.

APPARATUS FORWASHING AUTOMOBILES AND THE LIKE.

Application filed April22, 1919.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I HENRY F. KNArr, a

citizen of the United States, residing at Lebanon, in the'county of Graftonand State of New Hampshire, have invented certain new and useful Improvements :in Apparatusfor Vashing Automobilesand the like, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates toa-pparatusadapted for use in washing automobiles, carriages, floors, furniture and the like, while not necessarily'restricted to this use.

An important object of the invention is to provide apparatus of the above mentioned character, having means whereby the cleaning element, such as a sponge, rag or the like, when thrown into the pail or recep tacle holding the water is retained spaced from the bottom of the pail, thereby preventing the cleaning element from contacting with sand or the like, accumulating in the bottom of the pail.

A further object of the invention is'to provide means for holding soap, which means is located in proximity to the cleaning element support, to prevent the soap from coming in contact with the sand or the like accumulating in the bottom, such means being adapted to be moved by the cleaning element when placed in and removed from the pail, thereby automatically effecting the agitation of the soap in the water.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the above-mentioned character, which is simple in construction, inexpensive tomanufacture and convenient in use.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same Figure l is a perspective view of apparatus embodying my invention, the supporting element being elevated for the purpose of illustration;

Fig. 2 is a central vertical sectional view through the apparatus;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view through the supporting element and soap holding element, taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the support- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 20, 1920.

Serial No. 291,881.

ingelement, the soap holding element being removed;

ig- 5 is a perspective view. of a member for :detachably engaging one spindle of the soap holding element; and

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the soap holding element, the ends thereof being separated from the body portion.

. In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodimentof my invention, the numeral 10 designates a pail, ofany well known or preferred construction. This pail is preferably tapered, decreasing in diameter downwardly.

The pail is provided with a bottom 11. At its upper end, the pail carries apertured cars 12, for pivotal connection :ith a bail 13. The numeral 1&- designates a spring clamp, secured to the outer side of the pail l0 and adapted to receive and hold a cleaning element 15, which may be a sponge, or the like.

My invention embodies a cleaning element support, having an annular body portion 1d, preferably tapered and decreasing in diameter downwardly to conform to the ta or of the pail. This annular body portion has both. ends thereof open and has a smaller diameter than the pail, so that it fits suitably snug therein and may be removed therefrom, when it is desired, the annular support 1% contacting or resting upon the bottom 11, as shown. it its upper end, the annular support 14:. is equipped with apertured ears'15, having pivotal connection with a bail 16,by means of which the support may be conveniently removed from and placed within the pail, l he numeral 1'7 designates a foraniinous elen'ieut, arranged within the annular support 1d and suitably attached thereto. This element 1? may be formed of wire fabric or gauze, or spaced rods or bars, the term fa aminous being intended to cover either of these forms. The element 17 is preferably arranged at a point spaced from the opposite ends of the annular support 1%, and this element is spaced a substantial distance from the bottom 11 of the pail, thereby serving to support the cleaning element 15, when introduced into the pail, for holding the same out of contact with the sand or the like accumulating in the bottom of the pail.

The numeral 18 designates a soap holding element, preferably comprising a cylindrical body portion 19, which is foraminous, and the same may be formed of a wire fabric or gauze or spaced rods or bars, as may be desired, the term foraminous being intended to cover either of these forms. The tubular cylindrical body portion 19 has its ends adapted for insertion within cupshaped end-members 20, which are adapted to be removed therefrom. I may permanently secure one end-member 20 to one end of the body portion and have the other end adapted to be removed therefrom, if desired. Arranged centrally of the end members 20 are spindles 21, rigidly secured thereto, and one spindle is adapted to be rotatably mounted in an apertured ear or bracket 22 fixed to the annular support 14:. The other spindle 21 is adapted to be inserted within a slot 23 formed in an ear or bracket 24 attached to the annular support 14. The upper end of the slot 23 is open and the spindle is normally retained therein by means of an overhanging jaw 25 of a swinging latch 26, pivoted to the car 24, as shown at 27. The latch is swung in one direction by a retractile coilspring 28 and the latch I is provided at its free end with a lateral extension 29 by means of which it may be manually operated and shifted to the inactive position.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows:

The soap is placed within the soap holding element, which is in turn secured to the ears or brackets 22 and 24:, such element being horizontally arranged and freely rotatable in either direction. The device is then placed within the pail 10, and the annular support 14 engages or rests upon the bottom 11. The pail contains a suitable amount of water, and when the cleaning element or sponge 15 is dipped into the water or thrown into the pail, it will be supported by the element 17, which holds it out of contact with the bottom 11 and the sand or the like accumulating thereon. As the sponge or cleaning element is thrown into the receptacle the soap holding element is turned or rotated, thereby agitating the soap in the water for effecting its proper solution. The soap is also retained out of contact with the sand and from directly contacting with the sponge or cleaning element, so that only the soap in solution is applied to the automobile or the like to be cleaned. It is obvious that the device may be rcpadily removed from the pail when de- SIIG It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as the preferred example of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, 1 claim:

1. A device of the character described comprising a pail, a hollow support arranged therein in contact with the bottom of the pail, a foraminous element carried by the hollow support and spaced from the bottom of the pail, and a movable soap holding element connected with the hollow support and arranged above the foraminous element to engage a cleaning element introduced into the pail and to be moved thereby.

2. A device of the character described comprising a pail, an annular support ar ranged within the pail to contact with the bottom of the same and adapted to be removed therefrom, a foraminous supporting element carried by the annular support and spaced from its lower end, a movable soap holding element arranged in proximity to the annular support near and above the foraminous supporting element, and means de tachably connecting the movable soap holding element with the annular support.

3. A device of the character described, comprising a pail, a hollow support to be arranged within the pail, an apertured ear secured thereto, a rotatable soap holding element provided at its end with spindles, one spindle engaging in the apertured ear, a slotted ear carried by the hollow support to receive the other spindle, and a latch pivoted to the slotted ear adapted to hold the last-named spindle within the same and resilient means for holding said latch in engaged position;

in testimony whereof I afiiX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HENRY F. KNAPP.

Witnesses EMERY A. BARNES, FRANCES F. FIRMIN. 

